Investigating catalytic effects of a zeolitic imidazolate framework, ZIF-۸,on the phase transition and thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate

Composite solid propellants are widely used in space and military missions [۱]. consist oftwo major components, i.e., a gas-producing solid oxidizer and an organic, metal fuel andPerchlorates [۲]. AN, which has extensive applications in the area of nitrogen fertilizers andexplosives, is of interest as a potential replacement for AP, due to its environmentally innocuousproducts, and positive oxygen balance (+۲۰%) [۳]. The advantages of AN-based propellants canbe expressed as their low cost, smooth burning without smoke, and production of a high volumeof gases [۴]. Using the AN in large missile motors, despite these privileges, is restricted due tosome disadvantages such as the room temperature volume changing phase transformations,adsorption of moisture, low energy, and low burning rate [۵]. In this work, the phase transitionsand the thermal decomposition of AN were investigated under the influence of a zeoliticimidazolate framework (ZIF-۸). Different percentages of AN/ZIF-۸, i.e., ۰.۹۵:۰.۰۵, ۰.۹:۰.۱, and۰.۸۵:۰.۱۵, were prepared by the solvent methods, and their phase transition and thermaldecomposition have been studied by TG-DSC. To investigate the interactions between AN andZIF-۸, the UV–Vis-DRS and XRD techniques were used.